Lassar, Sullivan back Schmidt campaign

October 12, 2001

ILLINOIS — Former Justice Department official John Schmidt gained the endorsement Thursday of former federal prosecutors Scott Lassar and Thomas Sullivan in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for attorney general against state Sen. Lisa Madigan (D-Chicago).

"I personally believe that when you're electing somebody for an office as sensitive and as important as attorney general for Illinois, party loyalty takes a far backseat," Sullivan said. "You want the most qualified person to be in charge of the legal affairs of this state."

Madigan, the daughter of House speaker and state Democratic chairman Michael Madigan, dismissed any impact from the Schmidt endorsements.

"I have a whole cavalcade of lawyers," she said. "We both know people in the legal community."